Andy Murray named as Flagbearer for Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony

03 August 2016 / 16:59

The British Olympic Association is delighted to announce that defending Olympic champion Andy Murray has been selected as the Team GB Flagbearer for Friday’s Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Murray was selected from a group of athletes who were nominated by sport Team Leaders. The nominees were chosen by their respective sports as athletes that exemplify the Olympic Values and uphold the Team GB Values.

The final selection for the honour was made by a panel headed by Team GB Chef de Mission Mark England.

Murray follows in the footsteps of Team GB greats including the London 2012 Flagbearer Sir Chris Hoy and becomes the first British tennis player to lead their country into an Opening Ceremony.

Speaking on the announcement Murray said: “I am very proud to be selected as the Team GB Flagbearer for the Opening Ceremony on Friday. To represent your country at the Games is an unbelievable experience, but to lead out Team GB will be an incredible honour, the biggest in sport.

“This is my third Olympic Games and it is a very special competition for me. I obviously have great memories of London and I am 100% focused on winning here in Rio. The privilege of being the Flagbearer is a moment I will remember for the rest of my life and will certainly be one of the highlights of my career.

“I hope to do the team proud on Friday and wish all of the British athletes the best of luck for the Games ahead.”

The three-time Grand Slam winner, and world No.2, is in strong form going into the Games after clinching his second Wimbledon crown just four weeks before arriving in Brazil to defend his Olympic title.

Team GB Chef de Mission Mark England said:

“The conviction with which Andy spoke to me about the honour of carrying the flag only underlined why he is such an exceptional individual, and absolutely the right choice.

“There are a great number of outstanding athletes on this team, from Nicola Adams who I made flagbearer in Baku, to Sir Bradley Wiggins, unquestionably one of our greatest ever Olympians.

“When I asked Andy to lead our team out it was received with a humility and grace that is befitting of the values of Team GB. It was an emotional moment for him personally, and for this team.

“I will be incredibly proud to hear him address the team and I have no doubt he will inspire our athletes and the nation alike.”
The Opening Ceremony will begin at midnight BST (8pm local time) on Friday at the 78,050 capacity Maracana, officially marking the start of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Tennis Team Leader Iain Bates added: “Being the Flagbearer for your country at the Olympics is an incredible honour and I am absolutely thrilled for Andy.

“He is a fantastic athlete at the very top of world sport, but not only that, an athlete that embraces and demonstrates the Olympic values in everything he does, on and off court.

“He is a great role model and thoroughly deserves this accolade. I know he is over the moon at being selected and I'm sure he will do himself and our country proud on Friday.”